Priest who had celebrated Latin Mass in diocese critically injured in Phoenix parish

NTC Staff

6/12/2014

Father Joseph Terra, FSSP, 56, was critically injured during a burglary at Mater Misericordia Mission Parish in Phoenix, where he is currently assigned.

Fr. Terra, a member of the Priestly Society of St. Peter, had previously served in the Diocese of Fort Worth, celebrating the Tridentine Mass or Traditional Latin Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Fort Worth from 2005 to 2009.

Another priest, 28-year-old Father Kenneth Walker, FSSP, was killed in the attack.

“Please pray for Fathers Terra and Walker. Pray for their families and parish,” implored Bishop Michael Olson on his Twitter account, adding that Fr. Terra had most recently served in Fort Worth.

According to an article on the Arizona Republic’s website, police were responding to a 911 call made by Fr. Terra shortly after 9 p.m. Both priests were injured when police arrived, but Fr. Walker died in the hospital. Fr. Terra remains in critical condition.

In a prepared statement, Diocese of Phoenix asked for prayers following the attacks.

“The police are still gathering information and trying to sort through the details of this senseless act of violence,” the statement said. “We ask that people offer prayers for both priests, the religious community, their families, and the parish.”

The Priestly Society of St. Peter is a society of priests dedicated to serving the faithful and celebrating the sacraments according to the liturgical books of 1962.

Father Joseph Terra, FSSP, 56, was critically injured during a burglary at Mater Misericordia Mission Parish in Phoenix, where he is currently assigned.

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